Chapter 15 #3
This convo was going sideways. Before he could slip and start asking her other things she liked about him, he put the brakes on.
“Sam and I are exactly alike when it comes to some things—doing our jobs and protecting those under our care, especially when they receive valid threats.”
Her eyes shadowed. “You got a threat against me, and Diana. That’s why you’re all he-male.”
Sighing, he blew out a breath. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Exactly what kind of threat?”
Aw hell. He was already in deep, and knowing Allison, the more she knew the better precautions she’d take. He told her about Marty and Hernandez and the info found on Marty’s phone.
“I don’t know what the initials mean, or why you’re both on the list. I’m on it as well, with no initials. Hernandez doesn’t know who I am, but it’s clear he wants me checked out,” he said.
Allison looked confused. “Diana, I get it. I mean Hernandez has an interest in her because she’s marrying his godson. But me? What do you think?”
“I believe it stems from our visit to his home. The man isn’t stupid. He hasn’t evaded arrest or the grave all these years for nothing.”
“You want me, and my sister, to hide from this? Why, if you caught the guy?”
Rafe gave her a steady look. Her mouth opened. “You think there’s more watching us.”
“I kept getting the feeling someone was tailing our group. Nothing concrete, just a feeling.”
“But you make your living from trusting your instincts, just like I do when I think a patient has something more wrong with him, or her, than the tests show. What do we do about this, Rafe? If I withdraw from this competition, isn’t it going to raise more suspicions than if I proceed with my plans?
Diana, I get it. She’s not entered in any events anyway, and besides, Paul is flying up here so they can elope.
She’s got marriage on her mind, not motorcycles. ”
“When is Paul getting here?”
“He had to finish a project at work, so not until the weekend. Saturday.”
“Two days away. Doesn’t give me a lot of time.”
“Time for what?”
He changed the subject. “Is the cone competition the only one you registered for at the rally?”
“So far.”
“Stick to it. Sam and I will be out front. Keith and Debbie will hang out with your sister, just in case.” Though he didn’t want to display open affection to her, Rafe couldn’t resist cupping her chin in a tender caress. Damn, he worried about this woman.
“Stay alert, Ally. I’m counting on you.”
* * *
Allison couldn’t wait to get to the cabin and finally relax. Nerves taut like coiled wire, she led the way on her bike down the gravel path into the woods off a side road.
Secluded from the road, built next to a winding creek with a clearing in the back with a fire pit, the log cabin was nestled against a thicket of trees.
Built on ten acres, mostly forest, it was secluded and private and had provided them many happy hours exploring the grounds and playing when they were growing up.
Diana roared past the run-down barn that had been patched up over the years, set back a distance from the cabin.
Allison stopped her bike and climbed off to check the barn.
Locked still. She peered through the grimy window, glad the sedan her parents bought a few years ago remained inside.
Though the area was patrolled by police and they had a good security system at the barn and cabin, she’d always worried someone might break into the fragile structure and steal the car.
She climbed back on her bike and headed for the cabin.
Sunshine dappled the tall pines, oaks and maples.
She parked her bike next to the oak tree bearing the initials of every married couple in their family who had spent happy times in these woods, from their parents, right up to the great-grandparents who built it years ago.
Cousins, uncles, aunts—the oak stood as a living family tree of life.
Ally traced her parents’ initials. Soon the tree would boast another signature—Diana and Paul.
Long time before mine is on there. She sighed and glanced at the deck on the second story.
A long white box sat on the deck. Could only be one thing...
Squealing, her sister jumped off her bike, barely parking it, and dashed up the steps. Allison followed, jingling the front door keys.
They went inside with the box. The housekeeper, as promised, had not only cleaned, but switched on the air conditioning so the cabin smelled like lemons and clean air.
Not waiting, Diana placed the box on the dining table and opened it.
Her satin strapless gown lay inside. Atop it was the delicate lace veil that had belonged to their mother.
As Diana removed the veil, cooing over it, Allison’s breath hitched involuntarily.
Their mom had promised it to Allison whenever “you decide to settle down.”
It was their exclusive agreement, perhaps one of the few special considerations their mom had granted to Allison. But seeing that Diana was the first to marry, their mother asked Allison if Diana could wear it after Diana begged for the veil.
Though the lace was the original their mother had worn, Diana had embellished it with a sprig of silk orange blossoms and shortened it. Oh, she’d asked Allison first if she minded the alterations.
Still...
What was I supposed to say? Everyone knows I’ll never get married at this point. Hell, I’m not even dating anyone.
Still, it did hurt a little, seeing Diana try on the lacy veil in front of the mirror hanging over the fireplace. Removing her cell phone from her jeans pocket, she took a selfie and then did a short video clip.
“Look, everyone! Isn’t this a lovely antique veil? I’m wearing it for the wedding! It was my mom’s. I adore old lace,” Diana said, tilting her head for the video.
Feeling like an antique herself, Allison hung back, not wanting to get in the way. When Di finished the video, she smiled.
“You look divine.” Allison pushed down the hurt and the snake of jealousy threatening to strike.
“Ally, you need to go into town and get a nice dress. You’re still standing up for me, and I thought we could have the wedding here, at the cabin. Or maybe you can find us a place in town for a wedding and a reception, something that would accommodate about fifteen people.”
Allison blinked. “I thought you were eloping?”
“We are, but there’s us, Mom and Dad and your biker friends, and, oh, my friends may be flying up after to join us, and there’s a couple of friends Paul has at his furniture warehouse in North Carolina.
Better make it accommodations for twenty, and a hall with catering for twenty-five, just in case. ”
The little ceremony was suddenly turning into a production. Allison drew in a breath.
“How far is this furniture warehouse?”
“It’s in Randall, north of here.”
“Di, it’s the weekend of the Teddy Bear Run. Everything in town is sure to be booked up. Maybe we should hold the wedding there. Has to be plenty of room in a warehouse.”
“A wedding in a warehouse? No, use your charm, Ally. I know you can find something. Maybe Rafe can help you.” Diana winked at her in the mirror.
“I have to practice for the competition tomorrow.”
“You’re good and you can do both.”
As Diana preened, Allison went outside to haul her belongings into the cabin. Terrific. She’d have to return to town to scout out both hotels with available rooms and now a restaurant with a private room for the reception.
But she wouldn’t lose her focus on the cone competition tomorrow. There was a practice lot near the hotel where Rafe and the others were staying. She could set up obstacles there and do a little run. She was good at it, really good, something that made her stand out amongst the competition.
Not so good at finding a guy to marry, like Diana had, and wear a beautiful white dress, floating down the aisle to her intended...
I don’t look good in white. Okay, Miss Sour Grapes. Try to cater to your sister’s joy. Besides, would you really want to marry a guy like Paul? I mean, the way he probably wants her to do dishes instead of modeling? Don’t think so!
Amused, she trudged up the stairs with her backpack. Whatever Diana needed on this trip to reassure her and get her quickly married to Paul, she’d comply.
Her needs always came after her little sister’s wants.
* * *
The following day, the Teddy Bear Run got off to a start at the county fairgrounds.
Debbie and Keith had taken all the bears to photograph for Debbie’s photo album and would return them for the big public relations photo shoot ride into town.
Rafe had spent the previous afternoon in his hotel room, on the computer, accessing the FBI databases.
Jase informed him Marty was still tight-lipped, and in jail. Chances were he feared Hernandez’s repercussions more than the FBI. Rafe had secured a list of bikers participating in the run and wanted to check all of them out. Most were law-abiding and there were several law enforcement bikers.
However, a few riders stood out, with criminal records. Yet none were felony convictions or anything violent. Mostly petty theft. None fit the profile Jase and his team created for thugs Hernandez would send after Allison.
It should have reassured him, but still, he couldn’t shake off bad feelings.
So this morning after a hotel breakfast and plenty of coffee, he headed to the bike show.
Several custom motorcycles were on display, including a cobalt blue custom bagger with thirty-inch blue wheels.
As Rafe chatted with the proud owner, other bikers rode around the enclosed lot, showing off their bikes. He glanced around for Allison.
Not here.
He did spot Sam, dressed in blue jeans, a blue T-shirt, a denim jacket, a cowboy hat and boots, walking up and down the aisles. Sam saw him, headed over.
“This is better than a car show any day.” Sam grinned.
“You see Allison?”
“Nope. Or her sister. Want me to keep an eye on them?”
“Just her sister. I can handle Allison.”
Sam gave him a searching look. “Can you?”